Blog

October 18, 2017

art and social genitalia – part one – Fefo

by lead sexpert – Kai

FREEDOM of bodily expression for many people is often frightening and shroud in shame and stigma. There are many social movements occurring in the world. But nothing as important as the one breaking down the stigma attached to our genitals. This is being led by people like myself through the (#free your genitals project) and influential artists such as Hajime Yamamoto (Japan) and Fefo (Barcelona). Recently I collaborated with artist Hajime Yamamoto. I also caught up with the prodigious Fefo to discuss his penis artwork. In this two part series I explore both artists.

I was honoured to talk with Fefo about his work. As he points out to me “we share the same interests”. Fefo, doesn’t hesitate to get into the topic. “Sex is considered by some in society and religions to be something dirty and vile, and any representation of it is perverted or pertaining to a traumatised person. This is not so”. I agree with him. We could learn so much more about our bodies and genitals if much of society stopped feeling this way. What would be wrong seeing an erection on a bus billboard advertising Viagra or highlighting breast cancer depicting a female chest increasing the awareness of self-examinations. Is the natural body and its form harmful to society? I suspect not.

What’s so inspiring about Fefo is his carefree approach to talking about genitals and his work. “I love to paint. I meet other guys, like me who love graphic art. They like to be painted. Just as I enjoy painting, they to share the image of their genitals with me”. “Male anatomy is beautiful and exciting”, “anatomy and singular form I find very attractive”. Fefo finds both his subjects harmonious features, and lack of sensuality in them all unique. Fefo is no stranger to body image difficulties. He tells me that for a long time he did not like his body, that he only saw defects within himself. In our casual textual conversation, he giggles and tells me he now faces a shortage of hair.

The beauty of Fefo’s work is that he manages to capture the rawness of his subject’s genitals seized in such detail with the use of water colours, pencil, acrylics and digital illustration. The precise detail of anatomical structure in his work is reflective of his passion for the genitals he portrays. He confides, that he gets much of his artistic inspiration from his own penis. He suggests this maybe narcissistic of himself. I deter him with ‘not so’. This got us talking about how men often become insecure about their genital appearance and size. Fefo revealed, some of the men he paints have been insecure about their penises. But pointed out that “I am grateful to paint different types of penises, and of all sizes”. Now personally, I can see the therapeutic benefits of art and those who might have genital insecurities. Art enables genitals to be painted and portrayed in a different light. Fefo indirectly is helping people find mindful contrasting perspectives of their genitals. Fefo shared some of his loved work with me – check out the gallery here.

A warm thank you to Fefo for taking the time out to chat with me. Find more of his work here on Instagram @fefo.art or his website Fefo Reyes.